Still saving St. Thomas More

Tortellini fundraiser fires back up after holidays

DALZELL — The ongoing tortellini fundraiser at St. Thomas More parish in Dalzell took a short break for the holidays, but as of Friday, the rush to fill orders is promptly back in progress.

Looking at the totals up until Dec. 20, church members and volunteers have rolled and twisted 672 pounds of tortellini and have earned $4,032, based on $6 a pound.

Volunteers are putting in the hard work and effort with hopes to save the church from being closed and merged with Holy Trinity in Cherry before July 2014.

The Rev. Patrick Fixsen informed church members last summer the church would be given a chance to remain open until July if they doubled the weekly collection and found a way to attract more members to the church. Back then, looking at the current weekly collection and the number of church goers, Fixsen shared the possibility of the church closing this month.

Active members, including Carlo Olivero, have been working to put together fundraisers to help raise money for the church.

“It is our intention to send a lot of money to Father Fixsen because he said if we add to the monies for the church, he will keep the church open,” Olivero said. “We hope, hope, hope. I hope he keeps his word.”

Olivero has been an instrumental part in the tortellini fundraiser, which kicked off in early November.
“We will continue to make them until all the orders are filled, and we of have a lot of orders. Plus those who received our tortellini are already ordering again,” he said.

When news spread the fundraiser was making headway, orders immediately poured in for church member Mary Jean Goodrick, who has been heading the orders.

Tortellini orders that were needed before the Thanksgiving holiday were a first priority for the makers. Orders that were not needed before the holiday are those that remain on the list.

While volunteers from all over the county have been getting together every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to prepare the tortellini, there are concerns about losing a handful who have traveled to Florida for the winter. The shortage of hands may delay the process a bit, but Olivero is certain that every order will get filled.

To make a tortellini order, contact Goodrick at 815-664-4615. Tortellini is sold by the pound. One pound costs $6.